Save for a compm4/m5, consider the mro, or buy 2 holosuns/primary arms - Aimpoint PRO 1x38mm Reflex Red Dot Sight

First off, I think it's important to state I have owned this optic in the past. I have also taken a fresh, unopened battery to multiple stores that carry this optic to try several other ones besides mine.

The #1 reason why I cannot recommend this optic is simple: it has MAYBE 3 usable daytime settings. Every single PRO I have tried (a sample size of perhaps 5 or 6) all exhibit this same issue. I have tried using both versions of the supported battery, the type 2L76 or DL1/3N, A/B both types of batteries in multiple units and the issue persists.

The Aimpoint website states this red dot has the following settings: "4 NVD and 6 Daylight, of which 1 extra bright". When looking through this optic inside a store with your typical store lighting, the dot is nearly invisible until you get to the 3rd most bright settings. Beyond that you have one more "normal" setting and the "extra bright" setting. So, in other words, half your daylight settings are useless -- and that's INDOORS. Outdoors on a sunny day, you will be using the extra bright setting all the time if you want to see the dot. I mounted this optic to a carbine with a 350 lumens light. I had to run the PRO on the second highest setting to not have it washed out by the weapon light. To get the optimal brightness for the type of quick, indoor, short rage shooting along with that light, I really had to run it on the extra bright setting.

This is unacceptable for an optic that costs almost $450.00. Keep in mind as well, battery life on a red dot gets exponentially less the higher the settings. You will NOT be getting 30,000 hours of battery life at the brightness settings you will need to continually run this for practical use (i.e. a home defense carbine with a weapon light).

Also, consider the battery itself. The only place I've been able to find them is Online stores or specialty battery shops. You will not be finding these at the local drug store or grocery store. Not a huge deal, but also a pain in the neck.

My personal recommendation would be to save your money and buy a CompM4 or M5. I purchased the CompM4 and I'm very satisfied. It has the same rugged 30mm tube design of the PRO, the convenience of taking regular AA batteries and, most importantly, multiple usable settings. I can dial in the dot incredibly bright or make it very fine and precise but still perfectly visible. It includes a very sturdy mount, so it's usable right out of the box.

I honestly believe the only reason why people buy still purchase this optic is because it says "Aimpoint" on it and it doesn't cost $900. Aimpoints are absolutely second to none, however the PRO is extremely old tech at this point. I have no practical experience with the Trijicon MRO, however I have handled them in the stores and I feel they're a much more usable optic in this price range. For less money, Holosuns get rave reviews. I can personally vouch for Primary Arms SLx rotary knob red dot (MD-RB-AD). It's cheap enough to allow you to buy a nice mount for well under $250. Consider you could buy TWO Holosuns, Vortex, or Primary Arms red dots for the price of a PRO. You could outfit TWO different firearms with good quality optics with nice, bright settings for the price of one Aimpoint PRO.